An 11th hour change to the £64m redevelopment of Dundonald Ice Bowl has been approved this week.
Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council's (LCCC) planning committee approved the variation to relocate car park spaces on site, but keeping the total to just above 380.
A previously approved overflow car park to the north of Old Dundonald Road will be reduced from 108 to 51 spaces.
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The 57 parking spots will be relocated adjacent to Pirates Adventure Golf, which is an existing business between the ice bowl and the Old Dundonald Road.
Downshire West Alliance Alderman, Owen Gawith said: "I am trying to get my head around why there is a need to change the car parking designs. There is no increase in the total number of spaces. This has become yet another change to the long running saga of the Dundonald Ice Bowl."
In 2023, councillors agreed to invest £52 million at the leisure complex with £12.2m secured in 'Levelling Up' funding from the Westminster Government. The new ice bowl facility including a 24-lane bowling alley, a 100-station gym, community rooms, a restaurant and a coffee shop is due to be completed in 2026.
A council officer responded: "There are a couple of traffic and business issues. The impact that the original design would have on the nearby golf business has been considered after the fact.
"The new design is more closely in line with the operation of both businesses."
An internal junction is also to be created on site to allow for priority movement of cars into the new car park spaces as well as a one way layby system for coaches.
Killultagh DUP Alderman, James Tinsely added: "I am hoping that this is the last issue before we get started on the new ice bowl. The new design means no significant lowering of green space and the car parking numbers will be the same. I will be supporting this."
A majority vote approved the variation with only one abstaining (Pat Catney-SDLP).
The new ice bowl facility is due to open in 2026.
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